The club To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA) is an organization that promotes mental health awareness and education. As part of the first 50 days, they recently held their “Mind Over Mat(ter)” event on Upper Quad.
TWLOHA is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide hope and resources to those who are depressed, addicted, or have suicidal thoughts and feelings. TWLOHA exists to inform, inspire, and encourage.
Sacred Heart students getting semi-colon temporary
tattoos at the TWLOHA First 50 Days event on the
Upper Quad.
Contributed by Juliana Cotza, ’26
On campus, TWLOHA holds monthly meetings. Meeting activities include hands-on mindfulness activities, guided meditation, and mental health education.
Junior Juliana Cotza, the president of TWLOHA said their mission is to believe that a better life is possible.
“Taking care of your mental health can improve your physical and emotional health and make it easier to manage stress. TWLOHA is here for you, and you are not alone,” said Cotza.
“Joining TWLOHA my freshman year gave me a safe place to share my story and receive support from my peers. I feel so grateful and proud to have the opportunity to be President in my junior year. To anyone who is struggling with their mental health, you are not alone, and help is available,” said Cotza.
The name “To Write Love on Her Arms” stems from the organization’s origins in 2006, when founder Jamie Tworkowski wrote a heartfelt story about a friend battling depression, addiction, and self-injury. The words “To Write Love on Her Arms” became a symbol of hope, signifying that a better life is possible, even in the face of darkness.
Cotza believes that TWHOLA can help one to find hope and to create new beginnings. She said that because she struggled with anxiety and depression throughout high school, TWHOLA was even more special to her.
“Intense depression and anxiety kept me extremely sheltered in high school. I never thought I would find the light at the end of the tunnel, but I did at SHU,” said Cotza.
TWLOHA recently hosted their event, letting students bring their own yoga mats and use yoga to unwind for an hour. This event served as a showcase for the kinds of programs and occasions that TWLOHA organizes, demonstrating the importance of student wellness on the SHU campus.
Sacred Heart students showing off temporary
tattoos they got at the TWLOHA “Mind Over
Mat(ter)” event.
Contributed by Juliana Cotza, ’26
Junior Molly Luchsinger, a member of TWLOHA emphasized how the fast-paced, often stressful nature of college life makes it vital to take care of one’s mental health. She said that TWLOHA aims to create a supportive space where students can engage in self-care and mindfulness, helping improve their emotional and physical well-being.
“This event definitely served as a showcase for the types of programs TWLOHA organizes, highlighting the priority of student wellness on SHU’s campus,” said Luchsinger.
Junior Zoe Vella, another active member of TWLOHA, also spoke of the club’s importance. She believes the club plays a crucial role in normalizing mental health discussions on campus.
“When I first started at SHU, I struggled to balance everything. I didn’t realize how much I needed to prioritize my mental health until I attended a TWLOHA meeting. It’s not just a club, it’s a community that supports each other,” said Vella.
All TWLOHA meetings are held from 8-9 p.m. in SC 101. To stay up to date with the club, follow @shutwloha on Instagram.
